Bury St Edmunds: Man grew cannabis plants in cellar

10:34 23 November 2012

Cannabis being grown

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Man grew cannabis in his cellar

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A SUFFOLK man was arrested after a police officer noticed a strong smell of cannabis coming from the cellar of a house in Bury St Edmunds while he was investigating reports of a burglary at a neighbour’s house, a court has heard.

During a search of Tristan Saul’s home in Kings Road, officers discovered 23 mature cannabis plants and 24 seedlings as well as cannabis leaf and resin and growing equipment, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Christopher Paxton, prosecuting said the exact value of the cannabis crop was difficult to assess as not all the seedlings would have reached maturity. However he said an expert had said the cannabis grown in the cellar had a potential value of several thousand pounds.

Saul, 36, admitted cannabis production and was sentenced to a four-month jail term suspended for two years. He was also ordered to do 150 hours’ unpaid work in the community and ordered to attend a Thinking Skills programme.

Mr Paxton told the court that Saul had returned to his home on March 17 while police were at the premises and had told officers: “I grow my own weed.”

He went on to say he was a very heavy user of cannabis and had spent £150 a fortnight on the drug. He denied growing the cannabis to supply to other people.

Charles Myatt, for Saul, said his client had been awarded compensation several years ago after a piece of metal became embedded in his leg at work. Following the injury he had earned a living by servicing and repairing motorcycles.

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1 comment

The prohibition on cannabis is a waste of police time and the associated costs of incarcerating non-violent individuals committing a victimless 'crime'. It's time to regulate cannabis like alcohol and tax its sale.